Chester Mills, Quick, We Found Your Egg!!!!

 If you've seen the TV show, Under the Dome, you know what the headline above is all about.  If you've not seen the show, well, it's just a large, rather plain sculptural egg with no special significance.  I prefer to think of it as the giver and taker of life as seen Under the Dome.  It's really quite a mischievous ovum.

How did we find this magical (or not) egg?  At Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis County near the intersection of Interstates 270 and 44.  As the name suggests, the park is full of sculpture.  I'm no judge of art, especially sculpture.  Much of it does not speak to me like paintings do.  But, I do find the occasional piece of sculpture that I'd like to take home with me.  Not the egg.

The Sculpture Park has lots of trails.  The most obvious trail is a loop of about a half mile that is paved and teems with all kinds of sculptural pieces and the plaques to identify the artist and explain the piece.  There's even a giant piece that looks like huge paper towel rolls that have been welded together at interesting angles and encourages children to climb on it.  The other pieces have clearly stated No Climbing signs.  Even with the one that you can climb on, you better be:
young
agile
fearless
not afraid of heights
energetic

I seem to be lacking in a couple of these areas, so I remain on terra firma.  Which works well if you want to walk.  There is a maze of trails through the woods that we have yet to inspect.  The first time Kris and I walked there, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality and length of the trail we walked.  The bonus is that sculptural work is sprinkled throughout the woods, from some tiny pieces to huge wooden treehouse type works, towers, and a giant caterpillar looking thing which is composed of 55 lead naval buoys that appear to wriggle along the trail.  I was captivated by that one!

Laumeier is a place Kris and I will walk again - probably many times.  The trails are well maintained and have a nice range of hills and valleys.  In summer there is plenty of shade on the wooded trials.  We are hopeful that the trails sill still be walkable in winter weather.  We don't mind the cold, but harsh wind and ice are deal breakers that have us heading to the mall to walk.  We much prefer to walk outdoors, but sometimes weather and darkness just don't allow it.  Our Plan B is the mall which works well until about Thanksgiving when Christmas shopping begins in earnest and walking amidst the crowds loses much of its appeal. 

Do you have a park or great walking venue somewhere near you?  How do you know unless you go looking? You may well be amazed at the joy walking in the woods, on a muddy trail, or through a meadow will bring you.  We saw six dear while exiting Castlewood Park just yesterday.  That's a good thing!



*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.